He bowed in return, saying, "You do me a very great honor, monsieur le comte." "Whom have I the pleasure of addressing ?" "My name is Malicorne, monsieur." "M.

de Malicorne, what do you think of these pistol-holsters ?" Malicorne was a man of great readiness and immediately understood the position of affairs.

Besides, the "de" which had been prefixed to his name, raised him to the rank of the person with whom he was conversing.
He looked at the holsters with the air of a connoisseur and said, without hesitation: "Somewhat heavy, monsieur." "You see," said De Guiche to the saddler, "this gentleman, who understands these matters well, thinks the holsters heavy, a complaint I had already made." The saddler was full of excuses.
"What do you think," asked De Guiche, "of this horse, which I have just purchased ?" "To look at it, it seems perfect, monsieur le comte; but I must mount it before I give you my opinion." "Do so, M.de Malicorne, and ride him round the court two or three times." The courtyard of the hotel was so arranged, that whenever there was any occasion for it, it could be used as a riding-school.

Malicorne, with perfect ease, arranged the bridle and snaffle-reins, placed his left hand on the horse's mane, and, with his foot in the stirrup, raised himself and seated himself in the saddle.

At first, he made the horse walk the whole circuit of the court-yard at a foot-pace; next at a trot; lastly at a gallop.